Immigration authorities on Manus Island are removing basic rights from refugees inside the detention centre in an effort to force them to relocate to accommodation in East Lorengau.
Since late last year, the Immigration Department has been trying to force refugees to move out. Most have refused because of fears for their safety, following the killing of Reza Barati and the savage attacks on scores of others in February last year.
In January, authorities threatened to forcibly move the refugees, but a hunger strike of hundreds of asylum seekers forced the government to back down. Only two were willing to shift to East Lorengau.
Now the government is using its administrative control over the lives of detainees to coerce the refugees to move, by making life in the detention centre intolerable for them.
Following a warning two weeks ago, the Australian Immigration Department has now issued slips to all refugees, indicating that from Monday 27 April, refugees will no longer receive points to buy anything at the internal canteen. Refugees’ access to phone and internet will be also restricted to once a week. But, without points to buy cards, refugees are effectively being denied the right to make phone calls at all.
Incredibly, their access to the medical centre will also be restricted. They are also excluded from all activities and excursions; something that will harm their psychological well-being.
“Such punitive tactics are typical of the complete disregard the Immigration Department has for the welfare of the people under its control. It is simply unbelievable that the government would stoop so low as to deny refugees access to medical care. It is a shocking breach of their duty of care. On Manus Island, access to medical attention can be the difference between life and death. Denying phone cards and activities is a form of torture,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Rather than guarantee their safety, Immigration is resorting to the worst form of blackmail.”
Over 150 refugees presently inside the detention centre are threatened by the department’s clampdown.
Over the last few weeks, the number of refugees at East Lorengau has grown to 19 but it is clear that the Department intends to apply greater pressure on refugees to force them to transfer. Some refugees, captured during the January hunger strike, have been held for months in the high security Charlie compound in an effort to force them to move.
East Lorengau operates under curfew from 6.00pm to 6.00am, and refugees have no right to work. Around 60 guards are permanently on duty.
Meanwhile, the constitutional challenge to Manus Island detention, and the associated human rights abuses, are back in PNG’s Supreme Court in Port Moresby, Thursday 30 April for a directions hearing. It is expected that the court will set a date for the full hearing of the challenge.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713